Dr. Harry L. Johnson, JR, MD, 84. On March 1, 2013 Dr. Harry L. Johnson Jr. MD, slipped the surly bonds of Earth and put out his hand to touch the Face of God. Dr. Johnson was born in Guilford County, NC on 2/19/1929. He was preceded in death by his parents Dr. Harry L. Johnson, SR and Louise Theobald Johnson, a special niece Catherine Qualheim Church, RN and a special granddaughter Alison Marie Medley. Dr. Johnson was a member of First United Methodist Church of Salisbury, NC and worshipped joyfully through the music there.

Harry grew up in Elkin, NC, Hickory, NC, Newton, NC and Greensboro, NC where he graduated from Greensboro High School.

Dr. Johnson attended Guilford College, Greensboro, NC where he sang in the Glee Club and enjoyed playing saxophone. Although slow to admit them, he participated in several harmless pranks on campus including something to do with an outhouse, a cow and “hicky” (hickory) nuts. Dr. Johnson received his medical degree from The University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel Hill, NC. While in medical school he joined the US Navy Reserves as an Ensign and later rose to the rank of Lieutenant. Serving as a flight surgeon, he was based at Chase Field NAS, Beeville, TX and Pensacola NAS, Pensacola, FL. Dr. Johnson served from 1954-1963. During his time in the Navy he obtained his private pilot’s license and enjoyed flying for several years. After opening his first practice in Granite Quarry, NC, he was on staff and served as Medical Director of Rowan Memorial Hospital. He served as team physician for the East Rowan High School Mustangs for several years. He later had a practice in Greensboro, NC and was on staff at Wesley Long and Moses Cone Hospitals. He also served as campus and team physician for Guilford College and Greensboro College. Serving as the Guilford County Coroner for several years, he began changing his specialty from Family Practice to Emergency Medicine. He worked closely with Guilford County EMS as an advisor and helped certify the first paramedics in Guilford County. Later he joined a group of physicians that served as Emergency Room Physicians for several hospitals throughout NC.

Dr. Johnson retired to Alleghany Co., NC and continued to work part- time as an ER physician at Alleghany Memorial Hospital in Sparta and at a low cost family practice clinic there. After fully retiring he moved back to Rowan County where he lived until his death.

Dr. Johnson is survived by a son, Harry L. “Sandy” Johnson, III and wife Barbara of Hickory, NC, daughters Jane Johnson Medley and husband Ray, Jeane Johnson Lowman, RN and husband David, Susie Johnson Shuping and husband Lynn, and Beverly Johnson Raines and husband Steve all of Rockwell, NC, 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Phyllis Johnson Qualheim, RN of Elkin, NC, niece Marty Qualheim Sparrow and husband David of Raleigh, NC and nephew Dr. Robert E. Qualheim, MD and wife Jan of Boone, NC.

The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to Dr. Willard Thompson, the staff of The North Carolina State Veterans Home, Salisbury, NC and the staff of United Hospice, especially Megan Wagner, RN, for their kindness and care to, not only Dr. Johnson, but also his family. We will never be able to give back what you have given.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 AM Monday March 4th at First United Methodist Church in Salisbury, NC. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service in The Stanback Room at the Fisher ST entrance.

A private graveside service will be held on a later date at New Garden Friends Cemetery in Greensboro, NC.

In lieu of flowers the family wishes that memorials be made to Friends of The North Carolina State Veterans Home, PO Box 599, Salisbury, NC 28144, First Methodist Church, 217 S. Church ST Salisbury, NC 28144 or the charity of their choice.

CarolinaCremation of Salisbury, North Carolina is assisting the Johnson family. Online condolences may be made at www.carolinacremation.com.